Hyderabad Woman Burned to Death by Stalker, Accused Arrested

In a shocking incident, a woman died on Friday, 22 December, after she was set on fire in full public view in Hyderabad on Thursday, 20 December.

The incident occurred in the city’s Lalaguda area in the evening when the 23-year-old woman, identified as Sandhya Rani, was returning home from work.

Sandhya sustained 80 percent burns and was rushed to the government-run Gandhi Hospital, where her condition was stated to be critical. She succumbed to her injuries on Friday morning at around 6:30 am.

The attacker is suspected to be an ex-boyfriend of Sandhya, a graduate, who was working in a commercial establishment for about a year.

Quoting eyewitnesses, the police said she was returning home when the accused came on a motorcycle and met her. They discussed some matter for about 10 minutes.

During a heated argument, the attacker threw petrol, set her on fire and escaped before people could raise an alarm.

On a complaint by the girl's brother, the police picked up the accused, who allegedly resorted to the ghastly crime as the girl had spurned his advances.

The Times of India reported that the accused was identified as Karthik, and had even called the victim and spoken to her on the phone, a little while before the crime was committed. A case was registered under Section 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The police suspect that the victim was in a relationship and broke up, following which they suspect that Karthik may have been stalking Sandhya.

The couple had an argument on the phone recently, when Karthik asked her to quit the job. However, Sandhya insisted on continuing with the job and ended their relationship.

DCP Sumathi said, “The reason why she rejected the marriage proposal as per the confession of the accused is that he is not talented and she is more talented and more beautiful.” After her rejection, Karthik didn’t want her to accept anybody else also, Sumathi added.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a police officer from the Lalaguda police station said, “She had been declining his proposals since, saying it was against her family values and that they could remain friends.”

“The incident happened in a jiffy and before we realised what was happening, she was engulfed in flames,” an eyewitness told Deccan Chronicle.